President's Update

October 2025

President Wubah

As we bid farewell to October, the vibrant glow of autumn has transformed our campus into a masterpiece of color and energy. The bright days of early fall have gracefully given way to crisp mornings and golden sunsets, painting Millersville in hues that remind us of both reflection and renewal. Each walk across campus fills me with deep gratitude for the beauty of our surroundings and the spirit of our people who make this university such a special place.

This month has been nothing short of extraordinary for our Marauder community. We opened October with a spectacular Homecoming celebration, welcoming alumni, students, faculty, and friends back to campus with open arms and joyful hearts. Judith and I were truly moved by the enthusiasm, generosity, and camaraderie that radiated throughout the weekend. From beloved traditions like the parade and athletics events to new favorites such as the Block Party and Maker’s Market, every corner of campus was alive with laughter and pride. My sincere thanks go to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and students who made Homecoming 2025 an unforgettable success.

Across campus, the pace of progress continues to inspire confidence in our future. Construction at the Lombardo College of Business is advancing impressively, transforming the former Brooks Hall into a modern hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Preparations for the Biemesderfer Stadium upgrades are well underway, with work scheduled to begin this winter, while design and fundraising efforts for our new Science Building are entering an exciting new phase. These projects represent our unwavering commitment to creating spaces that empower learning, discovery, and connection.

As I mentioned in my recent campus message, we continue to closely follow developments in Harrisburg regarding the state budget. While we remain cautious and diligent in managing our financial resources, I remain optimistic and confident in our ability to navigate these uncertainties with the same resilience and creativity that define Millersville. I will share updates as soon as new information becomes available.

In this edition of the newsletter, you will read about remarkable achievements by our faculty and students that embody the spirit of innovation and excellence that drives our institution. Highlights include a National Science Foundation grant awarded to one of our faculty members to advance environmental learning for K–12 students, the engagement of our accounting students with industry leaders, and a prestigious national recognition earned by one of our recent history graduates.

I was also delighted to attend the Kenderdine Lecture and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Ware Center, where we unveiled a new brand image and exciting future directions for our downtown performing arts hub. We conclude this edition with an update on our continued efforts to enhance digital accessibility across campus—another important step toward ensuring inclusion and equity in all that we do.

Finally, I ask that we all pause to remember and honor the life of Sydney Barnes, a remarkable senior biology major and scholar-athlete whose spirit continues to inspire our community. Please keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.

As October comes to a close, I wish you all a safe and spirited Halloween weekend. May the coming month bring new energy, inspiration, and opportunities to learn, serve, and lead.

With gratitude and optimism,
President Daniel A. Wubah

MU, WVU Tech Secure Major Joint Grants for Clean Water Curriculum Research and Education

Person with long wavy hair wearing dark sweater outdoors.

As students head back to classrooms this fall, a new wave of clean water research and education is coming with them. Millersville University of Pennsylvania and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) have each secured grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to bring cutting-edge water science into schools across West Virginia and Delaware over the next four years.

Totaling more than $1 million, the ENVISION project will integrate new technologies and hands-on learning tools to help students explore water quality, freshwater ecosystems, and environmental stewardship. Teachers and students alike will have access to innovative classroom resources to engage with real-world water science.

"This collaborative grant has been in development for over a year," said Nanette Marcum-Dietrich, Ph.D., project lead for Millersville University and Shared Waters. "Our goal is to connect students to the science in their own backyards. By combining watershed education with spatial computing, we’re creating experiences that are both hands-on and high-tech. As someone who grew up in southern West Virginia, this project is deeply personal to me. ENVISION is a chance to give back to my childhood home, to the people and the land that shaped who I am." 

Meet the Accounting Firms Night draws nearly 150 students, 18 firms

Crowded networking event with company booths and informational displays.

Nearly 150 students attended Millersville University’s annual Meet the Accounting Firms Night in September. They enjoyed a panel discussion featuring several alumni working in the accounting field that was moderated by event organizer Dr. Brian Trout, associate professor of accounting and finance.

Eighty students networked with the accounting firms present and submitted resumes, Trout says. “We had 18 firms in attendance – we actually maxed out for the number of firms we can accept because of space limitations.” Many of the firms brought Millersville alumni to represent them at the event.

Alumna earns national award for best article by an undergraduate student

Person in olive green shirt standing near a lake with trees.

An article by a Millersville University graduate was chosen as the winner of the 2025 Raymond J. Cunningham Prize by the American Historical Association. The national honor, which recognizes the best article published in a journal written by an undergraduate student, was presented to Claire DeVinney, a May 2024 graduate who is currently a student in the history doctoral program at the University of Rochester.

DeVinney’s senior thesis, “‘This Popular & Malcontent Temper:’ Pennsylvania Currency and Transatlantic Commerce, 1720–1723,” appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies, published by The Pennsylvania Historical Association.

The Raymond J. Cunningham Prize carries with it a cash award of $500 for the author and $500 for the publishing journal, and a complimentary one-year membership to the AHA. The prize, which will be awarded at the AHA’s 139th Annual Meeting in Chicago in January, was officially announced on October 15 on the AHA website. A full citation will be featured in the January issue of Perspectives on History, the newsmagazine of the AHA.

Ware Center Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Group posing at Millersville University Ware Center arts event.

In recognition of its 15th anniversary season, the Ware Center held a celebratory evening on Sept. 20 for its community partners, supporters and local artists.

The event featured the grand unveiling of the Ware Center’s refreshed new name and logo (created by Lancaster design agency Goodthree), marking its continued growth and commitment to the community, as well as the reading of a formal citation recognizing the mark the Ware Center has made on the region, presented by Pennsylvania State Representatives Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Jordan Harris ‘06.

Throughout the evening, guests contributed to a collaborative mural project led by artist Keisha Finnie. The 15 canvases, which were based on themes like Community, Connection, Dance, Music and other pillars of the Ware Center’s mission, vision and values, were brought together at the end of the night into a honeycomb-style “mosaic.” The finished artwork will remain on display throughout the 2025-2026 season, serving as a reminder of the power of the arts to bring people together from all walks of life.

Disinformation, Technology and American Society

Women in a jacket smiling

The Harriet Kenderdine Lecture returned to Millersville University on Oct. 17, when the University College and the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County sponsored a talk by Barbara McQuade, a Michigan Law professor and former federal prosecutor who served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan from 2010 to 2017.

McQuade discussed her novel, “Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America,” which examines the tactics of disinformation, how technology is exacerbating the problem and how it is affecting American society. She also offered potential solutions to help mitigate the challenges of disinformation in an evolving world.

Advancing Digital Accessibility

graphic of a computer screen with icons representing digital accessibilityWe are making significant strides toward ensuring digital content is accessible to all, in alignment with the updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The University’s Information Technology team is leading this effort through a multi-layered approach that supports faculty, staff and students in building an inclusive digital environment.

One of the key initiatives is the launch of Millersville’s new Digital Accessibility Policy, which outlines the institution’s commitment to providing accessible digital content and services. This policy serves as a foundation for ongoing improvements and ensures accountability across the University.

To assess and enhance the accessibility of Millersville’s public websites, the I.T. Web Team has implemented SiteImprove, an automated scanning tool that identifies accessibility issues in real time. Since adoption, our overall accessibility score has improved from 66.9% to 80.5%, with the top 10 most-visited pages achieving a score of 91.1%. The Web Team continues to generate and distribute reports and provide hands-on support to content owners to correct and improve their pages.

In support of teaching and learning, Millersville, along with all PASSHE institutions, has integrated YUJA Panorama accessibility platform within the Learning Management System (D2L Brightspace). An initial group of faculty with early access helped identify areas where additional training and support materials will be needed. These findings are being used to guide I.T.’s development of a digital accessibility resource center to assist faculty.

To further support the campus community, the University has launched a Digital Accessibility Resources Space, which informs on fundamentals and provides insight into best practices and guidance on ensuring accessibility across a variety of file types and software platforms. This centralized resource is available to all employees.

Finally, I.T.’s Instructional Support team, along with accessibility expert Paul Hill, has begun conducting in-person department visits to explain both the “why” and “how” of our digital accessibility initiative. These presentations provide practical guidance while fostering a culture of inclusion. Departments interested in a visit can reach out to the I.T. Help Desk to schedule a session.

Millersville’s proactive and transparent approach demonstrates its commitment to compliance and ensuring equitable access for all users. As April 2026 approaches, the University continues to invest in technology, training and awareness to meet and exceed digital accessibility standards. To report accessibility issues with any Millersville website or digital content, visit the ADA Questions, Suggestions, and Concerns website and select “Digital Accessibility” as the type of concern.